Does the Minister regard the provision of emergency sewerage and drainage services at night and at weekends as essential services? Is he aware that Dublin Corporation have had to abolish weekend and night time services in this regard and that only last night this resulted in severe damage to property, specifically to St. Michael's House in Ballymun which caters for handicapped children, and that the damage arose because the corporation were unable to send out emergency staff to deal with flooding? Does the Minister regard this kind of service as essential and, if so, will he ensure that the rates support grant is adequate to provide it?

I regard the breakdown of water supply or sewerage disposal systems as serious and it could be regarded as an emergency in certain circumstances. I also regard the severe pollution of water as serious. This could be regarded as an essential service in most circumstances but it could also be regarded as an emergency service in an area because of a particular incident. If the corporation decide that they regard what the Deputy has been talking about as an emergency I would expect that they would treat it as such.

As a result of the cutback in the 1987 rates support grant the corporation had to abolish the emergency service for night time and for weekends.

I am awaiting a question, Deputy.

There is something like a three week wait to have sewerage blockages cleared in Dublin city.

The Deputy is making a statement.

This is as a result of the cut in the rate support grant.

Deputy John Boland. Order.

Will the Minister ensure that adequate funds will be made available to restore these essential services?

There will be a waiting list for the fire brigade shortly.